US8356444B2 - Trap and method for trapping flying insects - Google Patents

Trap and method for trapping flying insects Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8356444B2
US8356444B2 US10/480,161 US48016104A US8356444B2 US 8356444 B2 US8356444 B2 US 8356444B2 US 48016104 A US48016104 A US 48016104A US 8356444 B2 US8356444 B2 US 8356444B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
chamber
vapour
collection chamber
wasp
vapour chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US10/480,161
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20040231228A1 (en
Inventor
Karol Pazik
Edward Pazik
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Enterprise Cradle Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0114492A external-priority patent/GB2376619B/en
Priority claimed from GB0205511A external-priority patent/GB2386115B/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE reassignment ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PAZIK, EDWARD, PAZIK, KAROL
Publication of US20040231228A1 publication Critical patent/US20040231228A1/en
Assigned to ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE reassignment ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Assignors: ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8356444B2 publication Critical patent/US8356444B2/en
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
    • A01M1/10—Catching insects by using Traps
    • A01M1/106—Catching insects by using Traps for flying insects
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
    • A01M1/02—Stationary means for catching or killing insects with devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M2200/00—Kind of animal
    • A01M2200/01—Insects
    • A01M2200/012—Flying insects

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a trap and a method for trapping flying insects, in particular for trapping wasps, yellowjackets or the like.
  • Flying insects including stinging insects such as wasps, are well known to be a nuisance in particular environments. For example, in soft fruit orchards wasps can cause considerable damage to fruit, rendering it unsaleable. It is clearly desirable in such environments to be able to reduce insect numbers. A variety of methods have been used to try to do this, including the use of pesticides and traps. In order to avoid environmental damage, particularly near human food crops such as fruit, it is desirable to avoid the use of pesticides. A number of trap designs exist but in tests the present inventor has found conventional designs to be unsatisfactory, primarily because they trap insufficient numbers of insects but also in terms of ease and safety of use.
  • the invention provides a trap and a method for trapping flying insects as defined in the appended independent claims. Preferred or advantageous features of the invention are set out in dependent sub-claims.
  • the invention thus provides a trap comprising a vapour chamber, one or more entrances for insects defined in a wall of the vapour chamber, and a collection chamber coupled or couplable to the vapour chamber at a restriction.
  • the collection chamber has no insect entrances, except at the restriction, which controls the movement of insects from the vapour chamber to the collection chamber.
  • the trap advantageously comprises a number of important design features to enhance its effectiveness and ease and safety of use. These design features are described below with particular reference to preferred embodiments of the invention for trapping wasps
  • the safety plug or closure apparatus may advantageously comprise a tubular inlet extending from the vapour chamber funnel opening and a diaphragm, or septum, spanning the opening at the collection chamber entrance.
  • a tubular inlet extending from the vapour chamber funnel opening and a diaphragm, or septum, spanning the opening at the collection chamber entrance.
  • three or more closure elements extend inwardly.
  • the tubular inlet is insertable through the central portion of the diaphragm, resiliently deflecting the closure elements to open the opening into the collection chamber. Access from the vapour chamber to the collection chamber is then provided along the interior of the inlet.
  • the inlet is removable from the diaphragm to allow the resilient closure elements to return to their undeflected position to close the opening.
  • the tubular inlet or inlet passage may be cylindrical or frusto-conical.
  • the inlet may provide an entrance funnel.
  • the inlet may provide or comprise a part of the restriction between the vapour chamber and the collection chamber.
  • the closure apparatus advantageously comprises four or more closure elements and particularly preferably five closure elements.
  • the closure elements are integral with the diaphragm, which is formed of a resiliently-deformable material, and bounded by slits, or cuts, radiating from a central point.
  • each slit, or cut terminates at a stress-relieving hole. This may prevent any tendency for the slits to extend or tear under the stress induced by passing the inlet between the closure elements.
  • the diaphragm is domed or otherwise asymmetrically formed (for example conically-formed).
  • the closure elements in their undeflected position are not coplanar. This has the effect that a lower force is required to separate the closure elements from one side of the diaphragm (the concave side) than from the other (the convex side).
  • This embodiment may advantageously help to prevent egress or release of the contents from the collection chamber when the closure apparatus is in its closed condition. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the collection chamber may contain live wasps.
  • a further advantage of this embodiment of the closure apparatus is that it decreases the angle of deflection of the closure elements when the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm, by comparison with a flat diaphragm in which the closure elements are coplanar in their undeflected position.
  • the reduction in opening force and closure element deflection both reduce the stresses and strains applied to the closure elements and advantageously ease the demands on the material of the closure elements.
  • the diaphragm and the closure elements may be moulded from a resilient material, such as a rubber. Preferably, they may also be formed as a single component.
  • the diaphragm may comprise a grommet, or an edge region of enlarged cross-section.
  • these may be moulded or formed from the same material.
  • the grommet may be shaped for fitting into the entrance of the collection chamber.
  • annular insert may also be provided, which fits within the grommet on one side of the diaphragm.
  • the annular insert may advantageously retain the grommet within the entrance.
  • An inner surface of the annular insert may advantageously be shaped so as to receive or guide the inlet of the closure apparatus.
  • the inlet may be inserted through the annular insert and thus guided to the central portion of the diaphragm. Further, the annular insert may locate the inlet in position while the opening is open.
  • the action of the insert in retaining the grommet within the entrance and guiding the inlet is important because, as the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm or is withdrawn, forces are applied to the diaphragm which may tend to dislodge it from the entrance.
  • the insert advantageously helps to prevent this.
  • the closure apparatus is used to couple the vapour chamber to the collection chamber; the diaphragm spanning an entrance to the collection chamber and the inlet protruding at a lower end of the vapour chamber.
  • the vapour chamber is mounted on the collection chamber by forcing the inlet between the closure elements of the diaphragm. After insects have been collected in the collection chamber, the vapour chamber can be removed, withdrawing the inlet of the closure apparatus and allowing the closure elements to close the opening from the collection chamber.
  • the automatic closure of the collection chamber entrance may advantageously prevent the escape of insects from the collection chamber.
  • the collection chamber safety plug or closure has a self-closing hinged flap which closes automatically as the vapour chamber is removed.
  • the safety plug of the second embodiment is preferably manufactured from black opaque PET.
  • the depth of the safety plug is lower than an upper shoulder of the collection chamber, in order to retain free flying wasps within the collection chamber by encouraging them to continue to fly towards the light which is maximised in the transparent shoulder of the collection chamber.
  • the collection chamber contains a liquid bait. Vapour from the liquid-passes into the vapour chamber to attract insects such as wasps. When wasps fall from the vapour chamber into the collection chamber they may fall into the liquid bait and be killed, by drowning.
  • the collection chamber may be referred to as a bait chamber or killing chamber, its primary function is to collect insects entering the collection chamber from the vapour chamber.
  • the terms collection chamber, bait chamber and killing chamber may therefore be taken, with reference to various embodiments of the invention, to refer to the same general component of the trap.
  • Bait could mean any attractant or lure and may advantageously, but not exclusively, be located in the collection chamber. Alternatively, bait could be located in a further chamber, also connected to the vapour chamber, or within the vapour chamber itself.
  • the closure apparatus may then advantageously provide a sealing effect to prevent bait spillage when the closure elements are in their undeflected position.
  • the lid to the collection chamber may advantageously be designed to screw onto an upper end of the vapour chamber to provide a fixture for hanging the wasp trap.
  • the lid would then preferably be transparent.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of an insect trap according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the insect trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the bait chamber of the insect trap of the first embodiment:
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bait chamber of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the bait chamber of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the bait chamber of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the vapour chamber of the trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of the vapour is chamber of FIG. 7 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the vapour chamber of FIG. 7 ;
  • FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a coupling ring of the trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view of the coupling ring of FIG. 10 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section of the coupling ring of FIG. 10 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a side view of the coupling ring of FIG. 10 ;
  • FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the closure diaphragm of the trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 15 is a side view of the diaphragm of FIG. 14 ;
  • FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section of the diaphragm of FIG. 14 ;
  • FIG. 17 is a view from beneath the diaphragm of FIG. 14 ;
  • FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the diaphragm of FIG. 14 , on C-C as shown in FIG. 17 ;
  • FIG. 19 is a section of a detail B of the diaphragm of FIG. 14 , with reference to FIG. 16 ;
  • FIG. 20 is a section of a detail D of the diaphragm of FIG. 14 , with reference to FIG. 18 ;
  • FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the annular insert of the trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 22 is a plan view of the insert of FIG. 21 ;
  • FIG. 23 is a longitudinal section of the insert of FIG. 21 ;
  • FIG. 24 is a side view of the insert of FIG. 21 ;
  • FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the screw-on lid of the trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 26 is a plan view of the lid of FIG. 25 ;
  • FIG. 27 is a longitudinal section of the lid of FIG. 25 ;
  • FIG. 28 is a side view of the lid of FIG. 25 ;
  • FIG. 29 is a partial section of the lid of FIG. 25 on B-B as shown in FIG. 26 ;
  • FIG. 30 is an exploded view of the insect trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the insect trap of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the screw-on lid of FIG. 25 attached to the bait chamber of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 33 shows a wasp trap according to a second embodiment of the invention, assembled for use
  • FIG. 34 is a partial plan view of the wasp trap of FIG. 33 ;
  • FIG. 35 shows-the wasp trap of FIG. 33 after removal of the bait chamber
  • FIG. 36 is a reproduction of FIG. 35 incorporating dimensions, in centimeters, of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • a first embodiment of the invention will be illustrated with reference to a trap for wasps, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , and shown in section in FIG. 2 .
  • the trap comprises a vapour chamber 2 coupled by means of a closure apparatus 4 to a collection chamber 6 .
  • the collection chamber contains liquid bait in this embodiment, and so forms a bait chamber, or killing chamber, 6 .
  • the bait chamber is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the vapour chamber in FIGS. 7 to 9 .
  • the bait chamber has an opening 8 in its upper surface, surrounded by a substantially cylindrical neck 10 . The outer surface of the neck is threaded.
  • a moulded rubber diaphragm, or septum, 12 fits within the neck as described in more detail below.
  • An annular insert 14 fits within the diaphragm.
  • the vapour chamber is substantially cylindrical in shape and at its lower end (when oriented for use) terminates in a narrowing frusto-conical funnel 16 leading to a tubular inlet 18 .
  • the tubular inlet is inserted through the annular insert 14 and then through a central portion of the diaphragm comprising five inwardly-extending closure elements 20 .
  • the tubular inlet extends into the bait chamber and the funnel 16 is supported on inner surfaces of the annular insert and the diaphragm.
  • a substantially cylindrical collar 22 encircles the lower end of the vapour chamber, being retained by engagement with a circumferential lip 24 protruding from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion of the vapour chamber.
  • a lower end of the collar is internally threaded for engagement with the externally-threaded neck of the bait chamber. Screwing the collar onto the neck securely retains the vapour chamber in position on the bait chamber.
  • the structure of the collar is shown in more detail in FIGS. 10 to 13 .
  • bait is placed in the bait chamber and the vapour chamber attached to the top of the bait chamber.
  • Vapour from the bait enters the vapour chamber and wasps attracted by the vapour enter the vapour chamber through entrances 26 in its side wall.
  • the trapped wasps fly within the vapour chamber, emitting distress pheromones which in turn attract further wasps, until they tire and fall into the funnel at the base of the vapour chamber.
  • the wasps then fall into the bait chamber from which they are unlikely to escape. This is because wasps tend to fly towards light and at least the upper shoulder 28 of the bait is chamber is fabricated from a transparent material, attracting the wasps to fly into the corners of the bait chamber and away from the inlet 18 through which they could return to the vapour chamber.
  • the bait chamber typically contains a very large number of wasps and so it is important to be able to seal the bait chamber reliably for disposal. This is achieved by unscrewing the collar 22 and removing the vapour chamber from the bait chamber, whereupon the closure elements 20 resiliently move together to close the bait chamber entrance. This procedure and the structure of the closure apparatus at the bait chamber entrance will now be described in more detail.
  • the closure apparatus comprises the diaphragm 12 , which is moulded from a resilient material such as a rubber, and the inlet 18 extending from the vapour chamber.
  • the diaphragm is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 14 to 20 .
  • the diaphragm comprises a substantially annular grommet 30 and a domed, or conical, section 32 spanning the interior of the annular grommet.
  • the neck 10 of the bait chamber primarily comprises a cylindrical wall 50 , which carries on its outer surface the thread for engagement with the collar 22 .
  • the cylindrical wall is joined to the container portion of the bait chamber at a narrower, waisted portion 52 .
  • the neck terminates at a flange 54 which extends inwardly from the cylindrical wall.
  • the grommet portion of the diaphragm is moulded to be a press fit within the neck 10 .
  • the grommet comprises castellations 34 which bear on an upper edge of the waisted portion 52 of the neck 10 .
  • the castellated structure is used to reduce the volume of rubber required to mould the diaphragm.
  • the grommet is shaped with a substantially cylindrical external wall, to fit against the internal wall of the cylindrical portion 50 of the neck.
  • Two circumferential ribs 38 extend outwardly from the cylindrical wall of the grommet and bear against the internal wall of the cylindrical portion to improve sealing.
  • the cylindrical wall terminates at an inwardly-extending circumferential groove 40 , which matches the inwardly-extending flange 54 of the neck 10 .
  • the grommet terminates at an annular ridge 42 , which protrudes above the neck of the bait chamber when the grommet is in position within the neck.
  • the domed portion 32 of the diaphragm extends (in use) downwardly from the castellations of the grommet and, when the diaphragm is in place in the neck of the bait chamber, into the bait chamber itself.
  • the annular insert 14 for insertion within the grommet, is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 21 to 24 .
  • the insert is moulded from a substantially rigid plastics material. From the upper edge of the insert a flange 72 extends outwardly, being shaped to fit into a circumferential groove 44 defined in the inner-wall of the grommet.
  • the outer surface of the insert extends downwardly from the flange 72 . Adjacent the flange this surface is substantially cylindrical, to match the internal surface of the grommet, but at its lower end 74 , the insert tapers progressively to match the internal profile of the domed portion of diaphragm.
  • the internal profile of the insert is substantially frusto-conical, tapering inwardly from the flange 72 at its upper edge.
  • the inner surface of the insert is defined by a plurality of fins 76 ; these reduce the volume of material required to mould the insert.
  • the frusto-conical profile is shaped to match the exterior of the funnel 16 at the base of the vapour chamber.
  • the frusto-conical interior of the insert terminates at its narrow end at an opening which is large enough to guide the tubular inlet 18 at the end of the vapour chamber into contact with the central portion of the diaphragm beneath, where the closure elements are located.
  • the diaphragm is fitted into the neck of the bait chamber as follows. As the diaphragm is pressed into the neck, the castellations 34 engage the waisted portion 52 at the base of the neck 10 to prevent the diaphragm from falling into the bait chamber. When the diaphragm is seated in the neck, the flange 54 extending inwardly at the upper edge of the neck seats in the external groove 40 of the diaphragm. The insert is then press fitted within the diaphragm, until the external flange 72 at the upper edge of the insert enters the internal groove 44 within the diaphragm. The upper edge of the grommet is chamfered to guide the insert into this position.
  • the insert When the insert is in position, it acts to prevent the rubber grommet from deforming and coming free from the flange 54 surrounding the neck of the bait chamber.
  • the insert is sized such that, when press fitted within the grommet, it urges the grommet against the internal surface of the neck. This helps to ensure a liquid-tight seal, particular between the ribs 38 and the cylindrical surface of the neck.
  • closure elements 80 extend inwards, as shown in FIG. 17 . These are divided by slits 82 extending outwardly from a common point at the centre of the diaphragm. Each slit terminates at a circular, stress-relieving hole 84 .
  • the closure elements are moulded from the same resilient material as the remainder of the diaphragm and, when the inlet 18 is inserted through the central portion of the diaphragm, resiliently deflect outwards, as shown in FIG. 2 . As the closure elements deflect, the stress-relieving holes 84 prevent tearing of the diaphragm.
  • the slits 82 are defined by chamfered grooves 86 but these do not penetrate entirely through the diaphragm and so the slits themselves are not formed.
  • the slits are formed by tearing of the rubber at the base of each groove 86 as the inlet is first inserted through the diaphragm. Details of this construction are shown in FIG. 20 .
  • the stress-relieving holes 84 may not comprise holes through the entire thickness of the diaphragm, but regions in which the thickness of the diaphragm is substantially reduced.
  • the domed or conical shape of the portion of the diaphragm comprising the closure elements provides a number of advantages. First, it reduces the angle through which the closure elements are deflected as the inlet is forced between them. This advantageously reduces the loading on the rubber material of the closure elements. Further, the reduced deflection of the closure elements helps the closure elements to lie close to or in contact with the external surface of the tubular inlet when inserted. This advantageously reduces the possibility that wasps may find their way out of the bait chamber between the closure elements and the inlet.
  • the insert As the vapour chamber and the bait chamber are assembled and the inlet is inserted through the diaphragm, a force is applied to the diaphragm tending to push it into the bait chamber. Contact between the castellations of the grommets and the waisted portion of the neck prevent this. In this area of the diaphragm, the insert also prevents the grommet from distorting and falling into the bait chamber.
  • the bait chamber When the vapour chamber is removed from the bait chamber, the bait chamber may be filled with wasps.
  • a force is applied to the diaphragm tending to pull it out of the neck of the bait chamber, which is undesirable as it would release the wasps. This is prevented by the interaction of the grommet with the flange 54 at the upper end of the neck. This is assisted by the action of the insert.
  • the closure elements As the inlet is withdrawn, the closure elements are pulled upwards towards and against the rigid insert. This force is transferred through the insert to the grommet and thus to the flange at the upper end of the neck of the bait chamber preventing removal or distortion of the grommet portion of the diaphragm.
  • the inlet As the inlet is withdrawn, there may be a tendency for one or more of the closure elements to adhere to the inlet.
  • the profile of the lower edge of the insert is rounded, and the inner opening of the insert is sufficiently large, to prevent any closure elements adhering to the inlet from jamming within the insert (between the inlet and the insert) as the inlet is withdrawn.
  • the opening in the insert is, however, sufficiently small to prevent any wasps escaping as the inlet is withdrawn as a result of being caught between a closure element and the inlet.
  • the closure elements When the vapour chamber has been removed from the bait chamber, the closure elements resiliently recover into contact with each other, closing the bait chamber and preventing the escape of any trapped wasps.
  • a further advantage of the domed, or conical, shape of the central portion of the diaphragm is that a greater force is required to press the closure elements open from within the bait chamber than from outside the bait chamber. Thus, even if the bait chamber is accidentally inverted after the diaphragm is closed, no insects should escape.
  • a screw-on lid 90 is provided for the bait chamber. This is shown in FIGS. 25 to 29 .
  • the lid is simply screwed onto the bait chamber to provide a permanent seal.
  • the annular ridge 42 at the upper edge of the grommet extends beyond the flange 54 at the upper edge of the neck in order to provide a rubber seal against which the lid can close, to provide a liquid-tight seal.
  • the lid 90 When the vapour chamber is coupled to the bait chamber, the lid 90 can conveniently be stored at an upper end of the vapour chamber as shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 31 .
  • a hook or eye 92 is moulded on an upper surface of the lid, from which the trap can be suspended if desired when the lid is in this position.
  • FIGS. 33 to 36 illustrate a wasp trap according to a second embodiment, comprising a vapour chamber 102 coupled at a screw thread 104 to an opening in the top of a collection chamber 106 .
  • the collection chamber is suited to contain liquid bait and so may be termed a bait or killing chamber.
  • the vapour chamber is positioned vertically above the bait chamber and the assembled trap can stand on the flat base 108 of the bait chamber.
  • the bait chamber can be unscrewed to remove it from the vapour chamber and can then be sealed using a threaded lid 110 .
  • the lid can be screwed onto a thread at the upper end of the vapour chamber for safe keeping.
  • the lid is also provided with a protruding tab, or eye, 112 to which a string can be attached, so that the trap may be suspended during use, for example from the branch of a tree.
  • the vapour chamber 102 , the bait chamber 106 and the lid 110 are all advantageously moulded from a transparent plastics material, such as PET.
  • the vapour chamber is circular in cross section as shown in FIG. 34 , and four insect entrances 114 are formed in its vertical side wall. Each entrance is surrounded by a frusto-conical flange 116 which extends into the vapour chamber, ending at a narrow opening 118 .
  • the entrances are substantially horizontally oriented so that wasps can easily crawl or fly into the vapour chamber.
  • the length of each flange is predetermined so that wasps flying within the vapour chamber and rebounding from its walls do not rebound beyond the flanges.
  • a bait is placed in the bait chamber to release an aroma, which passes into the vapour chamber and out of the insect entrances, to lure insects into the trap.
  • the bait is typically liquid and wasps entering the bait chamber are likely to drown in this liquid.
  • None of the insect entrances are aligned with each other and all four entrances are at different heights.
  • the inventor has found that avoiding alignment of the entrances reduces the number of wasps which escape from the vapour chamber and that vertically spacing the entrances enhances the release of bait aroma from the vapour chamber.
  • the entrances are circumferentially spaced around the vapour chamber, so that wind from any direction passes through the vapour chamber to distribute bait aroma.
  • a restriction 120 comprises a frusto-conical flange, or funnel, 122 extending downwardly from the wall of the vapour chamber to a narrower circular opening 124 , from which a cylindrical tube 126 extends into the bait chamber.
  • the restriction is opaque, either being coloured or moulded from an opaque plastics material.
  • Wasps tend to fly towards light, and in the vapour chamber will therefore tend to fly away from the restriction towards upper portions of the vapour chamber.
  • the angle of the sloping portion of the restriction is chosen to be too steep to allow wasps to rest on it.
  • the bait chamber has a circular opening surrounded by a cylindrical wall 128 , which is externally threaded to engage either the lower end of the vapour chamber or the bait chamber lid.
  • a safety plug 130 is a push fit within the cylindrical wall and includes a flange 132 which extends radially inwards to a central opening, which fits snugly around an outer surface of the cylindrical tube 126 of the restriction when the bait chamber is threaded onto the vapour chamber.
  • the safety plug also comprises a self-closing flap 134 which is biassed by a spring 136 towards a closed position, in which it seals the central opening of the safety plug.
  • an end of the cylindrical tube 126 urges the flap 134 into an open position as shown in FIG. 33 .
  • the cylindrical tube is withdrawn, allowing the flap to seal the opening in the safety plug before the bait chamber is fully unscrewed.
  • FIG. 35 shows the bait chamber removed from the vapour chamber, with the flap closing the opening in the safety plug and the bait chamber lid in place.
  • the safety plug is moulded from an opaque material. Since wasps within the trap tend to fly towards light, this reduces the tendency for wasps to fly out of the bait chamber back into the vapour chamber. It should be noted that transparent shoulders 138 of the bait chamber extend outside and above the bottom of the safety plug. Wasps flying in the bait chamber tend to fly into these shoulders and away from the opening into the vapour chamber.
  • the trap may be used for collecting insects alive.
  • a cylindrical insert 140 carrying a mesh baffle 142 can be pressed into the cylindrical extension 126 of the restriction.
  • the insert is shaped so that the cylindrical tube can still open the flap in the safety plug.
  • the baffle covers the opening between the vapour chamber and the bait chamber so that bait aroma can still be released by the trap but wasps in the vapour chamber cannot enter the bait chamber. Wasps can then be caught alive in the vapour chamber.
  • FIG. 36 is a reproduction of FIG. 35 and shows the dimensions of an embodiment of the trap, in centimeters. It also shows the preferred angle for the sloping portion of the restriction 120 . Although these dimensions have been found by the inventor to produce a highly effective wasp trap, the skilled person would readily appreciate that the design factors described in this patent application would provide guidance to allow effective traps of different dimensions to be designed, and that such traps therefore fall within the scope of the present invention.
  • a further advantage found by the inventor is that traps embodying the invention may selectively trap certain types of insect.
  • a particularly beneficial example is that a trap set up in an apiary may selectively trap wasps and not bees. It is believed that this may be due to the emission of stress pheromones by trapped wasps attracting only further wasps and not bees.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)
US10/480,161 2001-06-14 2002-06-13 Trap and method for trapping flying insects Expired - Fee Related US8356444B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0114492A GB2376619B (en) 2001-06-14 2001-06-14 Trap and method for trapping wasps
GB0114492.2 2001-06-14
GB0205511.9 2002-03-08
GB0205511A GB2386115B (en) 2002-03-08 2002-03-08 Closure apparatus and method
PCT/GB2002/002759 WO2002102145A2 (fr) 2001-06-14 2002-06-13 Piege et procede de piegeage d'insectes volants

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040231228A1 US20040231228A1 (en) 2004-11-25
US8356444B2 true US8356444B2 (en) 2013-01-22

Family

ID=26246187

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/480,161 Expired - Fee Related US8356444B2 (en) 2001-06-14 2002-06-13 Trap and method for trapping flying insects

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US8356444B2 (fr)
EP (2) EP2005823A3 (fr)
AT (1) ATE408984T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2002257988B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2449685C (fr)
DE (1) DE60229056D1 (fr)
DK (1) DK1399017T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2311603T3 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ529897A (fr)
PT (1) PT1399017E (fr)
WO (1) WO2002102145A2 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9713325B2 (en) 2015-07-17 2017-07-25 Derrick Brown Insect elimination assembly
US10827737B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2020-11-10 Rebecca King Flying insect catching apparatus
USD923742S1 (en) 2018-10-11 2021-06-29 Davis Product Creation and Consulting LLC Bee trap
US11140888B2 (en) * 2016-08-11 2021-10-12 Kory McGavin Insect trap with multiple inserts
US11533896B1 (en) * 2021-08-23 2022-12-27 Jesse Jonah White Insect trap lid for buckets

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040237379A1 (en) * 2003-05-28 2004-12-02 Long Roger H. Insect traps
EP1712130A3 (fr) 2005-04-14 2006-11-02 Calantis Infochemicals GmbH Revêtement pour un piège à petits animaux
US7093389B1 (en) * 2005-08-31 2006-08-22 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Flying insect trap
US8016150B1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2011-09-13 Bunch James H Used cooking grease disposal and storage device
US8205378B2 (en) 2007-11-21 2012-06-26 Springstar Inc. Trap for flying insects
AU2017297358B2 (en) 2016-07-12 2022-12-08 Christopher Michael Bonner Insecticide dispensing device and method
ES2589814B1 (es) * 2016-09-12 2017-09-05 Ecologia Y Proteccion Agricola, S.L. Dispositivo trampa para insectos.
US20200060253A1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-02-27 William Stokes Insect Capturing Assembly
CA3072791A1 (fr) * 2019-03-08 2020-09-08 Jeremy E. Hirsch Dispositif et procede de distribution d`insecticide
US11523600B2 (en) 2019-07-02 2022-12-13 Theodore Schmitt Insect trap
US20250057138A1 (en) * 2023-08-14 2025-02-20 Bryan Martin Flying Insect Baiting Apparatus

Citations (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1544334A (en) * 1923-05-14 1925-06-30 Hugh E Martin Portable flytrap for doors
CH116301A (de) 1925-12-09 1926-08-16 Edmund Schaeppi Apparat zum Fangen von Wespen und andern Insekten.
US1783631A (en) * 1930-02-25 1930-12-02 Nat Enameling And Stamping Com Insect trap
US2741066A (en) * 1953-04-06 1956-04-10 William M Conway Trap
US2796696A (en) * 1954-12-27 1957-06-25 Kea Dawson Roach trap
GB1046518A (en) 1962-07-23 1966-10-26 Walter Buerki Improvements in or relating to self-sealing perforated walls
US4121372A (en) 1976-09-28 1978-10-24 Kenneth James Landaus Insect traps
GB2025888A (en) 1978-07-19 1980-01-30 Snow Brand Milk Products Co Ltd Container
DE2940240A1 (de) 1978-11-14 1980-05-29 Fjeldhammer Brug As Insektfalle
US4360987A (en) 1981-03-18 1982-11-30 James Lowder Gnat trap
WO1983001912A1 (fr) 1981-11-30 1983-06-09 Suovaniemi, Osmo Dispositif de securite permettant de sceller un tube de test
EP0097591A1 (fr) 1982-06-18 1984-01-04 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Bouchon pour récipient d'analyse
US4501088A (en) 1983-01-05 1985-02-26 Boisvert J Roger Fly trap with disposable collector
US4551941A (en) 1984-02-16 1985-11-12 Schneidmiller Rodney G Insect trap selective for wasps
US4577434A (en) * 1984-06-15 1986-03-25 Davis Mitchell F Flypaper trap
US4718193A (en) 1986-02-18 1988-01-12 Rosselli Bartholomew A Traps for flying insects
US4794724A (en) 1988-04-27 1989-01-03 Oak Stump Farm, Inc. Containment type insect trap
US4802303A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-02-07 Fly Bye, Inc. Insect trap
US4977701A (en) 1989-11-20 1990-12-18 Sherman Daniel A Tamper resistant flying insect control device
US4979330A (en) * 1989-10-10 1990-12-25 Rorant Julius W Suction insect trap device
US5274949A (en) * 1993-01-28 1994-01-04 Morris Beaton Insect trap
US5452540A (en) * 1993-12-17 1995-09-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture Autoinoculating device for contaminating insects with active agents
US5522171A (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-06-04 Mandeville; J. David Insect trap
DE19531981A1 (de) 1995-08-30 1997-03-06 Hans Ettrich Insekten-Lockstoff-Falle zum Einfangen von fliegenden Schadinsekten, insbesondere des Borkenkäfers
US5685109A (en) 1995-06-30 1997-11-11 Hanover Catalog Holdings, Inc. Trap for flying insects
US5749168A (en) 1996-10-10 1998-05-12 Chrysanthis; Chris A. Fly and insect trap
GB2328135A (en) 1997-08-11 1999-02-17 Shui Fong Chemical Corp Insect trap
US6014834A (en) * 1998-06-08 2000-01-18 Ferland; Bret Insect bait trap
US6112452A (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-09-05 Campbell; Kevin T. Tops for making common bottles into insect traps

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE882015C (de) * 1948-11-28 1953-07-06 Louise Storjohann Vorrichtung zum Fangen von fliegenden Insekten

Patent Citations (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1544334A (en) * 1923-05-14 1925-06-30 Hugh E Martin Portable flytrap for doors
CH116301A (de) 1925-12-09 1926-08-16 Edmund Schaeppi Apparat zum Fangen von Wespen und andern Insekten.
US1783631A (en) * 1930-02-25 1930-12-02 Nat Enameling And Stamping Com Insect trap
US2741066A (en) * 1953-04-06 1956-04-10 William M Conway Trap
US2796696A (en) * 1954-12-27 1957-06-25 Kea Dawson Roach trap
GB1046518A (en) 1962-07-23 1966-10-26 Walter Buerki Improvements in or relating to self-sealing perforated walls
US4121372A (en) 1976-09-28 1978-10-24 Kenneth James Landaus Insect traps
GB2025888A (en) 1978-07-19 1980-01-30 Snow Brand Milk Products Co Ltd Container
DE2940240A1 (de) 1978-11-14 1980-05-29 Fjeldhammer Brug As Insektfalle
US4360987A (en) 1981-03-18 1982-11-30 James Lowder Gnat trap
WO1983001912A1 (fr) 1981-11-30 1983-06-09 Suovaniemi, Osmo Dispositif de securite permettant de sceller un tube de test
EP0097591A1 (fr) 1982-06-18 1984-01-04 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Bouchon pour récipient d'analyse
US4501088A (en) 1983-01-05 1985-02-26 Boisvert J Roger Fly trap with disposable collector
US4551941A (en) 1984-02-16 1985-11-12 Schneidmiller Rodney G Insect trap selective for wasps
US4577434A (en) * 1984-06-15 1986-03-25 Davis Mitchell F Flypaper trap
US4718193A (en) 1986-02-18 1988-01-12 Rosselli Bartholomew A Traps for flying insects
US4802303A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-02-07 Fly Bye, Inc. Insect trap
US4794724B1 (en) 1988-04-27 1999-09-21 Oak Stump Farm Inc Containment type insect trap
US4794724A (en) 1988-04-27 1989-01-03 Oak Stump Farm, Inc. Containment type insect trap
US4979330A (en) * 1989-10-10 1990-12-25 Rorant Julius W Suction insect trap device
US4977701A (en) 1989-11-20 1990-12-18 Sherman Daniel A Tamper resistant flying insect control device
US5274949A (en) * 1993-01-28 1994-01-04 Morris Beaton Insect trap
US5452540A (en) * 1993-12-17 1995-09-26 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture Autoinoculating device for contaminating insects with active agents
US5522171A (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-06-04 Mandeville; J. David Insect trap
US5685109A (en) 1995-06-30 1997-11-11 Hanover Catalog Holdings, Inc. Trap for flying insects
DE19531981A1 (de) 1995-08-30 1997-03-06 Hans Ettrich Insekten-Lockstoff-Falle zum Einfangen von fliegenden Schadinsekten, insbesondere des Borkenkäfers
US5749168A (en) 1996-10-10 1998-05-12 Chrysanthis; Chris A. Fly and insect trap
GB2328135A (en) 1997-08-11 1999-02-17 Shui Fong Chemical Corp Insect trap
US6014834A (en) * 1998-06-08 2000-01-18 Ferland; Bret Insect bait trap
US6112452A (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-09-05 Campbell; Kevin T. Tops for making common bottles into insect traps

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9713325B2 (en) 2015-07-17 2017-07-25 Derrick Brown Insect elimination assembly
US11140888B2 (en) * 2016-08-11 2021-10-12 Kory McGavin Insect trap with multiple inserts
US10827737B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2020-11-10 Rebecca King Flying insect catching apparatus
USD923742S1 (en) 2018-10-11 2021-06-29 Davis Product Creation and Consulting LLC Bee trap
US11533896B1 (en) * 2021-08-23 2022-12-27 Jesse Jonah White Insect trap lid for buckets

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2449685C (fr) 2009-12-15
ATE408984T1 (de) 2008-10-15
EP2005823A3 (fr) 2014-07-02
ES2311603T3 (es) 2009-02-16
EP2005823A2 (fr) 2008-12-24
PT1399017E (pt) 2008-12-05
EP1399017A2 (fr) 2004-03-24
EP1399017B1 (fr) 2008-09-24
US20040231228A1 (en) 2004-11-25
WO2002102145A2 (fr) 2002-12-27
CA2449685A1 (fr) 2002-12-27
DK1399017T3 (da) 2008-12-15
WO2002102145A3 (fr) 2003-03-13
AU2002257988B2 (en) 2008-02-28
DE60229056D1 (de) 2008-11-06
NZ529897A (en) 2006-05-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8356444B2 (en) Trap and method for trapping flying insects
US4121372A (en) Insect traps
US7412797B1 (en) Free-standing flying insect trap with removable cartridge
AU2002257988A1 (en) Trap and method for trapping flying insects
US4852296A (en) Device for attracting and electrocuting flying insects
KR101765576B1 (ko) 해충 포획기
US10765101B2 (en) Container for trapping insects and method of making same
US20130152452A1 (en) Reusable Insect Trapping Systems and Methods
KR102073151B1 (ko) 해충 포획장치
US4986024A (en) Insect trap
US5540011A (en) Field trap for flies
US5133150A (en) Insect trap for gypsy moths and other flying insects
EP3360412A1 (fr) Dispositif de capture de guêpe
EP1155614A2 (fr) Piège à insectes et armature
EP2375891B1 (fr) Dispositif de piégeage d'insectes frugivores
WO2019094991A1 (fr) Piège à insectes
GB2412052A (en) Trap and method for trapping wasps
KR20200071829A (ko) 유해성 말벌류 발생 현황 모니터링 IoT 시스템
NZ545554A (en) Wasp trap self-closing mechanism
US9565849B1 (en) Rodent trap
CA1122406A (fr) Piege d'insectes
CN208030047U (zh) 橘实蝇诱杀装置
KR20230000988U (ko) 말벌포획안전제거장치
RU207900U1 (ru) Универсальная накопительная ловушка для отлова клопов-щитников
JP3254146U (ja) ハチ捕獲器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PAZIK, KAROL;PAZIK, EDWARD;REEL/FRAME:015453/0326

Effective date: 20040512

AS Assignment

Owner name: ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: CHANGE OF ADDRESS;ASSIGNOR:ENTERPRISE CRADLE LIMITED, THE;REEL/FRAME:022201/0295

Effective date: 20080801

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES FILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFP); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES GRANTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PMFG); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
REIN Reinstatement after maintenance fee payment confirmed
PRDP Patent reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee

Effective date: 20170301

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

SULP Surcharge for late payment
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20170122

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20210122